Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Maj. Leigh Hasson, the defense fellow for Senator Begich, be allowed floor privileges for the remainder of the debate on S. 3254.

Mr. President, first of all, I appreciate my colleague's graciousness in allowing me to speak first.

I rise today in support of Senator Udall and his amendment, which would restore the Department of Defenses' ability to invest in advanced biofuels. I don't think we should be tying the hands of our military as they attempt to manage a significant national security threat our energy dependence.

As our Nation has become more technology dependent, our energy use has increased dramatically. Businesses and families are more conscious than ever of how they use energy and its costs. Our military is no different.

Advanced technology has not only reshaped our economy, it has also changed how we think about defense. No matter how you look at it, as long as we are dependent on other nations for our energy, we have a fundamental strategic vulnerability. Fortunately, for the first time since the oil crisis in 1979 our military is making real progress addressing it. I hope we will get out of their way.

Over the past ten years the Department of Defense has invested significant time and resources into improving our nation's energy security.

Energy security is not some sort of feel-good, pie in the sky, goal that would be nice to have. Energy security is imperative to the success of today's military, and it becomes more critical with each passing generation.

As our Current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dempsey has said: Without improving our energy security, we are not merely standing still as a military and as a Nation, we are falling behind.

Let's be clear: Energy security is national security. Our military leadership understands this. Our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines understand this. Other countries including some of our strongest competitors also understand this. And we ignore this fact at our own peril.

As is often the case when our military commits itself to a new mission, particularly when you add a little friendly inter-service competition, we are seeing dramatic results. For example, new solar arrays and mini smart grids have allowed Marines at Forward Operating Base Jackson, in Helmand province, Afghanistan to cut their fuel use from 20 gallons to 2.5 gallons per day. More efficient cargo management and routing are projected to save Air Mobility Command half a billion dollars over the next decade. By reducing

drag, new stern flaps are expected to save the Navy almost $500,000 annually per ship in fuel costs.

I saw the Navy's new stern flaps in person earlier this year during an Energy Subcommittee hearing I chaired aboard the USS Kearsarge. The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the significant advancements the Navy continues to make in both energy efficiency and harnessing new, renewable energy resources. One of those important, home-grown energy resources is biofuels.

Biofuels offer reliable, domestic energy, capable of powering our most advanced military equipment. The Navy recently demonstrated the capabilities of advanced biofuels during a massive exercise that featured a Carrier Strike Group powered exclusively on renewable energy, highlighted by a F-18 traveling at twice the speed of sound and a ship traveling at 50 knots.

Despite biofuels' impressive performance record and their potential strategic impact, we continue to hear two arguments against further investment by the Department of Defense.

The first is that energy investments should be handled by the Department of Energy and not the Department of Defense.

Energy security is going to require an all-of-government approach, and that is the direction we are currently going with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy playing a fundamental role on the biofuels initiative. In addition, as the largest fuel consumer in the world today--and by far the largest in the U.S. Government--the Department of Defense has a special role to play in this effort.

Moreover, because of our dependence, we continually send our men and women in uniform into harm's way to maintain our access. In the past year alone, the Arab spring, conflict in Libya, and the threat of Iranian mining of the Strait of Hormuz have all demonstrated the challenges of assuring continuous access to overseas oil.

Not only is access to oil difficult to maintain, instability in the global price of oil continues to plague our economy and our defense budget as well. Every $1 dollar increase in the price of oil per barrel costs DOD $130 million. Last year alone, the Department was forced to shuffle $1.3 billion from other accounts to cover increased fuel costs.

The second criticism we often hear is that biofuels are too expensive.

It is true that advanced biofuels are not yet in full production and cannot compete with an oil market that is over 100 years old. However, in the last two years alone, DOD investment has caused the price to drop dramatically. Moreover, biofuels are more immune from the price- shocks that are increasingly consuming our defense budget.

In addition, as many of you know, there are significant costs to traditional foreign sources of energy--unseen at the gas pump-- associated with protecting our shipping lanes and oil supplies. For over 60 years, we have been patrolling the Persian Gulf. These costs for oil remain underappreciated.

The fact is, throughout its history, our military has played a leading role in energy innovation and development. From wind, to coal, to oil, to nuclear power, their ability to exploit new forms of energy has been key to our Nation's technological edge and combat effectiveness. As Admiral Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, has noted, ``efforts to reduce the Navy's dependence on fossil fuels and outdated energy technologies is in the finest traditions of military scientific leadership.''

For our military the issue of energy security and investment in biofuels is simple: dependence on foreign oil is a strategic vulnerability, creates problematic fluctuations in the defense budget, and puts our men and women in uniform at unnecessary risk.

We need to make sure our military leaders are able to continue their historic tradition of identifying long-term challenges and seeking innovative ways to solve them. Energy use is no different and nothing-- including the Congress--should get in the way. We can't allow the debate over the military's energy use to become a proxy for other ideological debates around energy. We should let our military do what it does best. We should let them lead.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent to speak for about 5 minutes on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

I am here to join my colleagues, as I had the great pleasure of being in the chair for a while this afternoon to hear some of the expression of support for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It was very eloquent, and it was bipartisan. I begin by thanking Senators Kerry and Lugar for their efforts in the Foreign Relations Committee to not only pass the treaty in committee but to bring it to the Senate floor for this consideration.

I certainly support ratification of the Disabilities Convention because it is

the right thing to do and because it puts the United States back where we belong: as leaders of the international community and defending, protecting, and promoting the quality of rights of all people in our world, regardless of their situation. From equality and nondiscrimination to equal recognition before the law, to access to justice, this convention touches on all these issues that Americans have long held near and dear to our hearts.

Ratifying this convention would reaffirm our leadership, leadership that was established under the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act legislation that this Congress passed in 1990. This was the first of its kind, domestic legislation that addressed the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. It sent a message to the world that we would support the principles of equal treatment and nondiscrimination with respect to those with disabilities.

I want to recognize Senator Tom Harkin for his leadership in getting that legislation passed, and it had strong bipartisan support when it was passed back in 1990. That legislation still stands as a model for those who want to replicate our commitments and defend the rights of the disabled in their countries.

I have had a personal opportunity to see what a difference the Americans with Disabilities Act could make in the lives of people, to see the impact this convention could have around the world, because I grew up before ADA was passed and my grandmother was disabled. She couldn't speak or hear. I remember in those days, when she would come to visit us--which wasn't very often because she lived a long way away--we didn't have any technology to allow her to watch television or to answer the phone, the kind of technology that now is available as the result of passing the ADA, technology that I would hope, along with the human rights that come with passing this convention, will soon be available to people in all parts of the world.

We in the United States are already the gold standard when it comes to defending the rights of the disabled. So why would we not want to demonstrate to the world our intention to continue to fight for those less fortunate?

This treaty is not only about ending discrimination against people with disabilities around the world, it is also about protecting the millions of U.S. citizens who travel or live abroad. Ratification will provide the United States with a platform from which we can encourage other countries to adopt and implement the convention standards and to work to end discrimination against people with disabilities.

Let me just respond to some of the concerns we have heard, and some of these have been addressed already. I want to talk about what the treaty does not do.

It in no way, shape, or form infringes on America's sovereignty as a nation. It does absolutely nothing to change American law. The treaty doesn't impose any legal obligations on the United States, and these facts were confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice during our consideration of the measure.

The convention has overwhelming support from across the political spectrum. Over 165 disability organizations support the treaty, as do 21 major veterans and military service organizations, including the VFW, the American Legion, and the Wounded Warrior Project. I can't imagine why, at a time when more of our warriors are returning home with injuries and disabilities, we would not want to stand in support of ensuring their rights and protections at home and around the globe.

In closing, I want to quote from John Lancaster, who is a disabled veteran and the former executive director of the National Council on Independent Living, which is one of the oldest disability grassroots organizations run by and for people with disabilities. Mr. Lancaster testified at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in support of the treaty. I think his message was one of the most powerful, and it is one that I hope all of our colleagues will heed in thinking about consideration of this treaty.

At the hearing he said:

I'm appalled with some of the conversation that has been

going on here today.

He was referring to some of the testimony at that hearing. He said:

As a veteran and as someone who volunteered, laid my life

on the line for freedom, rights, dignity, and now, to have

this whole debate that we're not willing . . . to walk the

talk in international circles? To step up in a forum where

they advocate these things and to say ``We're not afraid to

sign this thing?''

We aspire to what's in this convention. This is what we are

about as a nation--including people, giving them freedom,

giving them rights, giving them the opportunity to work, to

learn, to participate. Isn't that what we're about? Isn't

that what we want the rest of the world to be about? Well, if

we aren't willing to say this is a good thing and to say it

formally, what are we about, really?

I think Mr. Lancaster put it very powerfully, and I couldn't agree more with his assessment. This is exactly what we are about as a nation. We should ratify this treaty. We should remind the world why defending the rights of the disabled is a principle that should be at the heart of every civil society.

Mr. President, I hope when we get to the vote on this convention we will see the required votes to ratify this treaty and send to the entire world Mr. Lancaster's message.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to the heroic service of SFC Ryan James Savard, who was killed in action October 13 in Kunduz Province as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Savard was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of U.S. Army Special Operations Command out of Fort Bragg, NC. He was killed while serving a sixth tour of duty--a remarkable accomplishment--after completing four tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a brave patriot who served his country with honor and distinction. He was a loving husband and a devoted son.

Ryan was born on February 27, 1983 in Salt Lake City, UT. When he and his family moved to Jefferson, NH, Ryan attended eighth grade at the Lancaster School and spent 3 years at the White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield. After graduating from high school in Arizona, Ryan followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Army. In fact, he completed his very first day of basic training on September 11, 2001.

Ryan began his 10 years of service repairing helicopters and then went on to earn great distinction in the Special Operations Forces as a Green Beret. In June 2004 he graduated from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, becoming a weapons sergeant in Company A, Third Battalion, Third Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. Ryan rose steadily in this role, deploying three times as a senior weapons sergeant in 2008 and twice as a Special Operations Team Member in two tours beginning in 2010.

Ryan received a significant number of awards for his distinguished service, including three Army Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Meritorious Unit Commendation and three Good Conduct Medals. In addition, he was posthumously awarded a third Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and a second Purple Heart.

Ryan is remembered by those close to him as a true friend with an infectious laugh and an unmatched sense of humor. He was a great listener and an extremely hard-working young man. Ryan knew the type of commitment that was necessary to be a real friend and the type of commitment that was necessary to be the best soldier possible. His drive to succeed has left an indelible mark on his family, his friends, the State of New Hampshire and the Nation. We are extremely proud and deeply appreciative of Ryan for his willingness to serve and ultimately, to lay down his life, like so many others before him, in the defense of the freedoms that we as Americans hold dear.

Ryan has been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Kayla, of Fayetteville, NC; his parents, SGM Garett Savard and Marie Savard, of Lancaster, NH; his five sisters, Rachel, Rebekah, Virginia, Karen and Mariah; and his two brothers, Jedidiah and Garrett. This American hero will be sorely missed.

I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the heroic service of SFC Ryan James Savard.

Mr. President, I wish to honor the service of a brave New Hampshire son, U.S. Army Special Forces CPT Shawn G. Hogan, who was killed in a tragic accident during a military training exercise on October 17 in Golden Pond, KY. Captain Hogan was commander of Company A, 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group headquartered at Fort Campbell, KY.

He received his Green Beret earlier this year.

Shawn was born in Albany, NY and grew up in the Town of Salem, New Hampshire. An alumnus of Salem High School, Shawn attended the Virginia Military Institute where he was captain of both the cross-country team and the track and field team. He joined the U.S. Army upon graduation in 2006.

Shawn's military honors include the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Sapper Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Special Forces Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.

Shawn was an avid runner, hiker, rock climber, and skier and is remembered for his love of the great outdoors and for his impressive athletic ability. At the Virginia Military Institute, for instance, Shawn placed seventh out of 3,600 cadets in an Army ROTC competition. When he wasn't outperforming the competition on the playing field, Shawn was outperforming his peers in the classroom. Friends and teachers recall Shawn's intense intellectual curiosity and independent mind. He was a finalist in the prestigious Rhodes and Marshal Scholarship competitions, won an award for the best thesis in science and engineering, and was valedictorian of his class at the Institute.

Shawn is also remembered for the kindness he showed others and for his willingness to help anyone in need. He stood out as an athlete, a student, and a person, and his death is a huge loss for all who knew him, for New Hampshire, and for the country.

Shawn dedicated his talents and his life in the service of his community and his country. He answered the call of duty to defend our way of life, and for that, all Americans are forever grateful.

Sadly, Shawn is the fifth Salem High School graduate in recent years to die while serving our country. To honor Shawn and all others who have served before him, it is our duty to remain committed to the cause of freedom and to our returning veterans and their families.

Shawn is survived by his parents, Jean and Richard Hogan of Salem; and his sister, Nicole, also of Salem.

I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the bright life and service of CPT Shawn G. Hogan.

Mr. President, 10 years have passed since the first consumer enrolled in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, an insurance option for Federal employees, retirees and their loved ones created by the Long-Term Care Security Act. This law set a new standard regarding providing for the unique and important medical needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. Participants in the program are now confident that they will receive help financing the care that they may require. I am pleased to recognize the 10th anniversary of the first enrollment in this important program, and I am proud that its administration is handled by Long Term Care Partners, LLC, which is located in my home State of New Hampshire.

Today, 1 in 10 Americans aged 55 and older carries a long-term care insurance policy; however, it is estimated that 70 percent of people over age 65 will eventually require long-term care. Our Nation's changing demographics and significant medical advances have contributed to an aging population, and addressing the issue of how best to care for seniors and individuals with disabilities should be part of our national discourse on how we support ourselves and our families. These services are critical for so many Americans who need assistance to continue living independently and actively in their communities.

The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program was the first benefit offered to the Federal workforce that was completely employee-funded, coming at no cost to the taxpayer. The program is unique in that, at the time of its inception, it was the first benefit offered uniformly to all Federal employees, including military personnel and staff of the U.S. Postal Service. It is also the Nation's first successful large- scale, long-term care insurance program with consistent benefits, regardless of where the recipient lives.

With nearly 270,000 enrollees, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program has made a difference in the lives of so many in the Federal workforce. It is the largest group long-term care insurance program in the country and has already paid nearly $215 million in claims. The program helps its beneficiaries stay where they are most comfortable, with more than 85 percent of these claims going to home and community- based services.

Every family needs to plan for retirement and how to best care for aging loved ones and those with disabilities. Long-term care insurance is one way that millions of Americans get the support they need to remain independent and active in their communities. For Federal employees, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program is an important option that provides a sense of security and comfort in knowing that family members will be cared for in times of need.

I stand today to recognize the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program's 10th anniversary and to wish the program continued success as it embarks on its second decade of assisting Federal employees and their families in planning for their retirements.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I rise today to again raise my concerns about and the desire to see action in the House to pass the Senate bill reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. We need to continue this critical funding for survivors of domestic violence.

In the discussions on the Senate floor, we have heard about the protections offered in the Senate bill that have not been included in the bill the House has pending. They are protections that would help women on college

campuses, women on tribal lands, gay and lesbian victims, and immigrants. However, it is really important for us to remember not just those provisions but all of the other ways the Violence Against Women Act has benefited not just the victims of domestic violence but really all of us because domestic violence isn't just a women's issue. It affects all of us. It affects our entire economy. It affects our families. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that the direct health care costs associated with domestic violence are about $4.1 billion every single year. We know this is a conservative estimate because so many of the victims never come forward.

The protections offered by the Violence Against Women Act have proven to be absolutely essential in preventing abuse. Last week was the 18th anniversary of the original passage of VAWA, so this is a good time to reflect on the progress we have made.

Over the past 18 years, the reporting of incidents of domestic violence has increased by 51 percent. At the same time, according to the FBI, the number of women who have been killed by an intimate partner has decreased by 34 percent. So clearly it is having some effect. Researchers at the North Carolina School of Public Health estimate that VAWA saved $12.6 billion in its first 7 years alone. So even if one doesn't support the legislation because it does good work for families, this is a bill that is also a good investment.

This is about telling the victims of violence that we stand with them because having safe, healthy citizens benefits all of us. We all do better when fewer women are going to the emergency room, are missing work or giving up their children in order to protect those children from violence at home. We are all in this together.

I have had a chance as we have had this debate in the Senate to visit a number of crisis centers in New Hampshire--centers that benefit directly from the funding in the Violence Against Women Act. Recently I visited the city of Keene's Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention and had a chance to speak with one of the caseworkers there and with two of the survivors. Those two women told me what it was like as they were trying to figure out how to leave their abusers. I asked them: What would have happened if this center wasn't here? Both of them said they had nowhere else to go. One of the women said: My husband would have killed me. That was how desperate she was.

While I was there, I also had a chance to meet some of the children who were staying at the center. I wish to take a minute to talk about how important this is for them, the children who were witnesses of domestic violence or who, as the result of that violence, are victims themselves.

Centers all over New Hampshire and the United States have advocacy programs that are funded by VAWA that offer support groups for children. Children are particularly vulnerable and ill-equipped to deal with the trauma of domestic violence. This is trauma that affects them for their entire lives.

A study by the World Health Organization found that children raised in households where domestic violence occurred are more likely to have behavioral problems, to drop out of school early, to experience juvenile delinquency. It is not surprising.

A child who witnesses domestic violence between parents is more likely to view violence as an acceptable method of conflict resolution. Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to become abusers, and girls who witness domestic violence are more likely to become victims of domestic violence as adults. One advocate at the Bridges Crisis Center in Nashua, NH, works to prevent this cycle by providing safety planning for children. She teaches them they can live a life that is free of violence. This free preventive care for children is made possible by a grant from VAWA. Our children deserve this. This is why we need to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. This is about women who are in danger, about children and families who are at risk.

One of the stories I found particularly touching when I was at Bridges was about a young boy named Brian. The caseworker told me that Brian was really nervous about going back to school. He was supposed to bring with him a story about something fun he had done over the summer, but he had been in the shelter at Bridges with his mother and it really hadn't been a very fun summer. So the child advocate organized a barbeque in the park across the street, and everybody from the center came and joined in that barbeque and gave him a happy memory that he could take with him to the first day of school. This is the kind of healing we need more of. We can help this continue by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.

I hope that as Senators go home for the next 6 weeks, as we go back to our States and travel around and hear from people in our States the issues they are concerned about, we won't forget about the task we have at hand when we come back. We need to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. We need to get the House to join with us in passing the Senate bill so we can include those expanded protections that are needed so much by women and families across this country. I know the Presiding Officer joins with me in recognizing that we still have time to get this done this year.

Thank you, Mr. President. I note the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Technical SGT Brian A. Bell, who died at the age of 54 at his home in Brookfield, NH on August 5. Brian served his country bravely for 29 years in both the 157th Air Refueling Wing of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, and in the United States Navy, deploying to Kuwait in 2005 and 2011.

Besides his love of country, Brian was best known for his deep devotion to his family and friends. He appreciated the small things in life such as going to concerts with his wife, heading out on fishing or hiking trips and going kayaking. He took so much joy in being a grandfather to his two grandchildren, James and Jocelyne.

Brian dedicated more than half of his life to defending our Nation, a devotion matched by his loyalty to his community. People who knew Brian say he was always willing to lend a helping hand when it was needed. His friends and loved ones knew him as a man driven by a fierce determination to defend the freedom we hold dear as Americans. Our country is better off today because of his efforts.

Today and every day, Americans like Brian heed the call to defend this great nation. They offer their service so we may live freely and securely. I hope that, even at this challenging time, Brian's family can find comfort in knowing that we share a deep appreciation for his life in the service of others.

Brian is survived by his loving wife Christine, daughter Natasha Nemetz, mother Helen Sue Bickford, brother James D. Bell, III, sister Rosanne Combs, and his beloved grandchildren. He will be loved and missed by all.

I ask my colleagues and all Americans to please join me in honoring the life and service of Technical SGT Brian A. Bell.

Mr. President, it is my sad duty to rise in tribute today to the brave service of Staff Sergeant Brandon Cullen- Towle. Staff Sergeant Cullen-Towle, who was known as ``CT'' to his friends, died on August 25 in a motorcycle accident. He was as dedicated to his country as he was to his family and friends.

Brandon was born on April 29, 1987 in Dover, NH. He graduated from Dover High School where he was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. Brandon briefly attended the University of New Hampshire before realizing his true calling to serve our nation in the United States Air Force.

Brandon successfully completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and was assigned as a Tactical Air Control Party Member in the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron in Pope Field, NC. In this role, Brandon was responsible for calling in air strikes to support ground forces. He performed exceptionally well during his three tours of duty in Afghanistan; he took his responsibility seriously and it showed. In fact, Brandon's skill earned him a spot with the Special Operations Forces Tactical Air Control Party in the 21st Special Tactics Squadron.

Brandon received many awards for his service, including the Order of the Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal and an Army Achievement Medal. Most impressively of all, President Obama and Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Norton Schwartz personally recognized Brandon for his courageous service during a mortar attack in Afghanistan. After being injured himself in the fight, Brandon saved an interpreter's life and called in an airstrike that successfully secured the base and neutralized the threat. He demonstrated great courage and tremendous poise under incredible pressure.

Brandon is remembered by family and friends as a giving person with an infectious laugh and a contagious smile. Always willing to lend a hand to those in need, Brandon consistently put others before himself. He valued his relationships and had an impact on everyone with whom he came in contact; people simply gravitated toward him.

Our Nation can never adequately thank. this young New Hampshire son for his willingness to serve his country and to protect our freedom, and also never fully thank his family enough for their sacrifice. I hope that Brandon's family knows that all Americans share a deep appreciation and abiding respect for his brave service.

Brandon is survived by his mother Laura Towle and her husband Dennis; his father Brad Cullen; his stepfather, Mike Towle; two sisters, Stephanie and Kaylee Towle; brother Kameron Towle; his significant other Marlena Cullen-Towle; grandparents Norma and James Hughes, Fern Cullen, Rick and Kay Towle; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. This young hero will be missed by all.

I ask my colleagues and all Americans to please join me in honoring Staff Sergeant Brandon Cullen-Towle.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and service of U.S. Army SPC Jared Davison. Specialist Davison, who died unexpectedly on September 4, was a dedicated servicemember, son, brother, and friend.

Jared was born on February 20, 1988 in Boston, MA. He graduated from Milford High School in 2006 and went on to attend Norwich Academy in Vermont and then the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. Jared served as a watercraft engineer with the 558th Transportation Company, Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade at Fort Eustis in Virginia. Before his death, Jared was working toward a promotion to sergeant.

Jared first realized his passion to serve in the military on a family trip

to Sequoia National Park in California. He was inspired by CPT Charles Young, one of the park's first superintendents who was also one of the first black graduates of West Point. Following that trip, Jared was determined to join the military. He read every military book he could get his hands on and even designed his own exercise regimen to prepare for the physical challenge of service.

Jared's enthusiasm to serve his country was matched only by his enthusiasm to live life to its fullest. Jared was a youth leader in his church and worked as a counselor at a summer camp in Maine. He was a strong role model for the children he mentored, and those who knew him remember his infectious smile and the kindness and respect he showed to everyone he met.

Although Jared was naturally an exceptional student and athlete, he understood the value of hard work. His combination of natural talent and diligence earned him many commendations and decorations, including the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Our Nation can never adequately thank this young son of New Hampshire for his willingness to heed the call to defend the American people and our way of life. I hope that, even in these dark days, Jared's family can find comfort knowing that his was a life well lived. He is gone, but his service to this country will not be forgotten.

Jared is survived by his mother and father, Paula and James Davison, and his brother, Jeremy Davison. He will be missed.

I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the life and service of this brave American servicemember, U.S. Army SPC Jared Davison.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the career of David Wood, the founding Executive Director of Affordable Housing, Education and Development (AHEAD), Inc. in Littleton, New Hampshire. After over 20 years of hard work to make affordable housing and home ownership a reality for hundreds of NH families, David will step down from his position at the end of this year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his remarkable commitment to helping those in need.

Since 1991, AHEAD has provided safe and affordable rental housing, family support, and financial education to thousands of people living in rural northern New Hampshire. Under David's direction, the organization now owns and operates 304 units of affordable multifamily rental housing in nine communities in our State. Furthermore, AHEAD has assisted more than 600 families buying their first homes and helped rescue another 250 households facing foreclosures.

AHEAD has received numerous awards over the last 20 years in recognition of the positive impact that David and his staff have brought to our

North Country. These accolades include the USDA Rural Development New Hampshire Partner of the Year in 2002, the Federal Home Loan Bank- Boston Partner of the Year, and the Citizens Bank Champion in Action in 2005.

In addition to his full-time responsibilities at AHEAD, David has served on the Board of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority for 20 years, spending four of them as its chair. He has been an active member of the National Neighbor Works Association and spent 6 years on the Advisory Council for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. David has also been a crucial voice in Housing Action New Hampshire's advocacy efforts to promote affordable housing across our State.

These impressive accomplishments demonstrate David's dedication to improving the lives of families in Coos and northern Grafton Counties. I am sure that David will modestly attribute this success to his talented and dedicated team of staff and supporters, but it was his vision for community development that led to the founding of AHEAD. His belief in stable families as the foundation of a vibrant community resulted in projects like the McKee Inn in Lancaster and Littleton Town & Country Family Housing. Because of his commitment to this cause, hundreds of families in New Hampshire now have access to safe, warm, and affordable homes.

Put simply, Mr. President, David has made New Hampshire a better place to live and raise a family. I know that the great energy and spirit with which he has led AHEAD for the past 20 years will endure at this enormously successful non-profit organization. I congratulate David on all his achievements and wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor a remarkable citizen, Kristen McGonigle of Concord, NH. On June 9, 2012, Kristen saved the life of a fellow runner during a local road race.

Every June, Portsmouth, NH hosts a 10K road race in conjunction with Market Square Day, an annual celebration honoring the renovation of one of the historic city's vibrant downtown areas. Kristen was participating in the race when she noticed another runner, Steve Whitney, showing signs of a significant heart attack.

As a cardiac care nurse at Concord Hospital with more than 16 years of experience, Kristen immediately recognized Steve's symptoms and took swift action to save his life. Kristen possessed the skills necessary to keep Steve alive until paramedics arrived. In fact, Kristen continued to perform chest compressions even after the arrival of emergency medical technicians. Her quick action ensured that Steve safely reached the qualified health care providers at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Sadly, nearly every American knows an individual impacted by heart disease, and all too many people suffer a catastrophic cardiac event similar to the one Steve Whitney experienced.

Nursing professionals dedicate their working lives to caring for those in need, providing the comforts and necessities required for their patients to regain strength and recover good health. The frequent acts of heroism performed by these men and women often go unnoticed, but it is impossible to overvalue the work they perform. The daily efforts of nurses for the betterment of others serve as an invaluable bridge to care between doctor and patient.

I applaud and thank Kristen for her devotion to those in need. She has spent her career helping others while also caring for her family, including her husband Kirk and her two children, Camden and Ally. Her exemplary behavior gives her family, her workplace, her community, and the State of New Hampshire great pride.

I wish to thank Kristen McGonigle for her service and her actions on June 9, 2012, and commend her kindness, compassion, and dedication to her field and her fellow citizens.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business.

Mr. President, anybody who has been outside today knows that we had a beautiful day, and the last couple of days have been beautiful, so it is hard to believe that the summer is actually coming to a close. But as it does end, I wanted to take a few minutes this afternoon to highlight something that is very important to us in New Hampshire and to the country. That is tourism, particularly the outdoor industry association and its importance to local economies in New Hampshire and across this country.

New Hampshire has long recognized the importance of conservation and the economic benefits that come from supporting outdoor recreation. Our beautiful State, like Connecticut, has an abundance of natural treasures, the White Mountain National Forest, our scenic lakes, our coastline--we may only have 18 miles of coastline but it is beautiful, with beautiful beaches and rocky coves.

These treasures draw visitors from across New England, from all over the world. Protecting these natural resources is not just good for the environment, it is also critical for our economy. In fact, the outdoor recreation economy supports 53,000 jobs in New Hampshire alone, 6.1 million American jobs across the country. That is more than we have in the construction industry, in the finance and insurance industries or in the education industry. And even in this time of economic recovery, outdoor recreation produces $646 billion in direct consumer spending.

Again, that is more than the pharmaceutical industry, motor vehicle parts, and household utilities. Americans today spend nearly as much on snow sports as they do on Internet access, and considerably more on bike gear and trips than on airplane tickets and fees. This is all detailed in a report called the Outdoor Recreation Economy, which is a very interesting analysis of what the outdoor recreation economy means to this country.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Eastern Mountain Sports. EMS is a New Hampshire-based business that specializes in outdoor apparel and equipment. At EMS, I saw the direct economic benefit that comes from our support for the development and conservation of outdoor recreation areas. I had a chance to talk to some of the 300 or so employees at EMS. They have stores throughout the east coast, and they are just one example of the countless businesses that have grown strong, thanks to the careful stewardship of our beautiful areas in this country, of the landscapes that so many of their customers visit.

One of the ways we have preserved the great outdoors at the Federal level is through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund was created in 1965. It protects lands, forests, State and local parks, and critical wildlife habitat. This critical program also helps ensure hunting and fishing access, something also very important to New Hampshire. It supports battlefields, trails, sporting facilities, and outdoor recreation opportunities in every State.

Every year since I arrived in the Senate in 2009, I have led a letter with Senator Leahy of Vermont to appropriators that supports robust funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The most recent letter was signed by 44 Senators from both sides of the aisle, a very strong showing of bipartisanship from supporters who know this is a program that works for the environment and works for small business.

I am also pleased to cosponsor legislation--bipartisan legislation-- that is led by Senator Bingaman, which would permanently authorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund with dedicated funding. In New Hampshire, the LWCF has supported more than 650 local recreation and conservation projects and it helps protect locations such as the White Mountain National Forest, the Appalachian Trail, the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and the Silvio Conte Wildlife Refuge.

These scenic locations, whether they are enjoyed for relaxation or exercise, support jobs and local economies by increasing the demand for outdoor recreation equipment and by attracting visitors to our State. Those visitors eat in our restaurants, they shop at our small businesses, they stay in some of the most beautiful hotels you will find anywhere in America.

The outdoor economy supports tourism, and tourism should be recognized as the economic engine that it is throughout this country. The travel and tourism industry is one of the top 10 industries in 48 States in the country. It supports over 14 million American jobs. In New Hampshire, travel and tourism is our second largest industry, supporting over 60,000 jobs.

I had the opportunity yesterday with a number of small business owners and representatives from New Hampshire to visit Brand USA, which is the national initiative that is the result of travel and tourism legislation passed by the Senate and Congress in 2010 to begin advertising the United States outside of this country. They have advertisements now in Canada, in the UK, and in markets that are important as we think about how we can attract visitors to the United States. In New Hampshire, it is not difficult to see why tourism is so important. Visitors are drawn to New Hampshire for our charming attractions, for our landscapes, for our foliage--which is about to begin, actually--and they provide a beautiful environment for families to spend time together.

During August my husband and I actually had the opportunity to take all of our grandchildren--our 7 grandchildren; actually, our entire family, 14 of us--up to the White Mountains. We stayed at the Mount Washington Hotel, which is at the base of Mount Washington. It is a beautiful hotel where the Bretton Woods monetary conference was held back in the late 1940s. We had a great time. We went hiking, my oldest grandson went fishing with his father, one of my granddaughters went horseback riding with my daughter, we visited the flume, which is a naturally

occurring gorge in New Hampshire, and we ended the several days we were there visiting at a place called Clark's Trading Post, which is a great family business in New Hampshire. They work with black bears that roam the woods of New Hampshire, and they have been working with them for 50 years, so it is a real trained-bear show. In addition to that, they have attractions from New England, they have a railroad, and it is just a great place for the family to spend the afternoon. This was a wonderful trip. It brought our family closer. It allowed the cousins to visit with each other. We came back rested, restored, and we had a great time investing in New Hampshire businesses.

As our family saw last month, conservation programs such as LWCF are part of what we need to do to make sure those kinds of experiences are available to everybody in New Hampshire and across this country. They are a part of our responsibility to safeguard our environmental heritage. More than that, as the outdoor recreation economy shows, as so many reports show, they are an economic imperative that supports millions of jobs nationwide.

I am going to continue to work to strengthen programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund and to promote tourism and the outdoor recreation economy, and I urge all of my colleagues to join these efforts because they not only protect America's great outdoors, they support the businesses and the outdoor recreation economy they sustain.

Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the importance of passing the Violence Against Women Act, and reauthorizing this critical funding for survivors of domestic violence. We have heard about the protections the Senate version offers that the House does not, to women on college campuses, to women on tribal lands, to LGBT victims, and to immigrants. It is important to remember all of the other programs supported by this important legislation.

On this day, when preventive health care finally becomes available to 47 million women, including free domestic violence screening and counseling, it is worth taking a look at how domestic violence impacts healthcare for women and families in this country.

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, the average cost of health care services for women is more than twice the average cost for men, and this is largely due to the costs and impact of domestic violence.

The CDC estimates the direct health care costs associated with domestic violence to be around $4.1 billion every year. And we know this is a conservative estimate, because many victims never come forward.

But we have a proven tool in this fight, and that is the protections in the Violence Against Women Act. Since the bill first went into effect in 1994, reporting has increased by 51 percent according to the Department of Justice. The FBI reports that the number of women killed by an intimate partner has decreased by 34 percent. And VAWA saved $12.6 billion in its first 7 years alone.

It is not just that women are safer because of VAWA, our economy also improves when domestic violence is successfully prevented, because fewer women are going to the emergency rooms, missing work, or deciding they cannot care for their children.

I have had a chance to visit several crisis centers in New Hampshire who benefit directly from VAWA funding. Most recently, I visited the Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention in Keene, and had a chance to speak with caseworkers and survivors. I spoke with two women who told me that when they decided it was time to leave their abuser, they had no place else to go.

And I asked them, ``What would have happened if this center wasn't here?''

``My husband would have killed me,'' replied one woman.

This is why we need to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. This

is about women who are in danger, and desperately need our help.

I also had a chance to meet some children who were staying at the center. And I would like to take a moment to talk about how important this bill is for them, both children who witness domestic violence, or are victims themselves.

Centers all over New Hampshire and the United States have child advocacy programs that offer support groups for children. Dawn Reams, Director of the Bridges Crisis Center in Nashua, NH, described that they have a full-time child advocate who receives funding from VAWA. We know that children are particularly vulnerable and ill-equipped to deal with trauma.

And this trauma affects them for their entire lives. A study by the World Health Organization found that children raised in households where domestic violence occurred are more likely to have behavioral problems, drop out of school early, and experience juvenile delinquency. A child who witnesses domestic violence between his or her parents is more likely to view violence as an acceptable method of conflict resolution. Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to become abusers, and girls who witness domestic violence are more likely to become victims of domestic violence as adults.

The advocate at Bridges does her best to prevent this cycle by providing safety planning for the children, teaching them that they can live a life free of violence. There is free preventive care for children.

She told the story of one young boy, Brian, who was nervous about returning to school. He was supposed to bring with him a story about something fun he had done over the summer. Brian was staying at Bridges with his mother, and it had not been a fun summer. So the child advocate organized a barbeque in a park across the street from the crisis center.

This is the type of healing we need more of, and we can start by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. I urge all of my colleagues in the House to pass the Senate VAWA, for women, for children, for all survivors and for those that have not yet come forward.

Mr. President, I am proud to join my colleagues on the floor today--I thank Senator Boxer and Senator Harkin for their leadership--just as I was proud back in December of 2009 to join Senator Mikulski in sponsoring the women's health amendment to the Affordable Care Act.

We are here today celebrating the fact that tomorrow, August 1, women will have access to important health services at no cost. Senator Boxer showed very clearly what a number of those preventive services are. Thanks to the provisions of the Affordable Care Act that go into effect this week, women will have access to a broad range of preventive services from well woman and prenatal visits to gestational diabetes screening, and they will have access to those services without copayments or deductibles. So finances will no longer stand in the way of women getting the preventive health care they need.

This also has the potential to save our health system money in the long run. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 75 percent of our health care spending is on people with chronic diseases. So by taking these preventive measures, we can slow this growth and the associated cost of disease.

One of those preventive measures I want to talk about this morning is screening for gestational diabetes. As cochair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, I understand the importance of gestational diabetes screening and the impact it can have on both the mother and the baby. Gestational diabetes affects almost 18 percent of all pregnancies in the United States. Unfortunately, the number of those cases is increasing. The consequences of gestational diabetes are real. Not only are there significant health effects for the mother and baby during pregnancy, but researchers have found that both the mother and baby may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. By getting screened, both the mother and child can be alerted to potential long-term health risks.

I want to tell the story of one of my constituents, Megan from Panacook, NH, because she is a great example of why this screening is so important. During her 28th week of pregnancy, Megan was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The screening she had alerted her to the potential related health issues and they allowed her to get the necessary treatment. I am happy to report that Megan gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Grace. She is now 8 weeks old. Under the Affordable Care Act, all pregnant women will now be able to receive the gestational diabetes screening for free.

Tomorrow also marks an important milestone in women's health for another preventive service. Women, beginning tomorrow, will have access to contraception at no cost. Birth control is something that most women use, and it is something the medical community believes is essential to the health of a woman and her family. For some 1.5 million women, birth control pills are not used for contraception but for medical purposes. They can reduce the risk of some cancers. With costs as high as $600 a year, birth control can be a serious economic concern for many women. Being able to now receive birth control for no cost will bring financial relief to so many of those women.

Again, I have a story of a young woman from New Hampshire who I think illustrates so clearly why these are such important provisions. Keri Wolfe from Swanzey, NH, is a full-time graduate student at Dartmouth. She is going to benefit from this provision because Keri takes birth control as a medical necessity for treating a health issue that affects her adrenal gland. While Keri is lucky to have insurance, she has to pay her plan's full deductible and then a monthly copay for her birth control. As a student who is trying to balance academic and living expenses, her prescriptions come at a significant cost annually. When her new insurance plan goes into effect, Keri is going to be able to get the full price of her birth control covered. That is great news in making sure she gets the health care she needs.

As Governor of New Hampshire, I was proud to sign legislation that required insurance companies to provide contraceptive coverage to women with no religious exemption. At that time it was understood by people on both sides of the aisle of all religious faiths that requiring contraceptive coverage was about women's health, and it was a basic health care decision. Yet over the last several months, opponents have continued to roll back contraceptive coverage at both the State and Federal level. Every woman should be able to make her own health care decisions. She should not have to have her boss stand in the way. The provisions that go into effect tomorrow ensure that women can make these decisions.

I thank Senator Mikulski and Senator Harkin for their leadership on women's health. I join them in celebrating these important provisions that are going to make a huge difference for women's health, that are going to be good for women, for families, and for everyone in this country.

I yield the floor.